NovelEnglishChapter 411 He didn't even bother to filter his words-if anything, he raised his voice just for Claire's sake, eager to put her in her place right from the start.
Claire's cheeks flushed a deep red. She lowered her head, standing there awkwardly, unsure what to do with herself.
She didn't argue or try to explain. Instead, she simply trailed behind the others and got into the car, silent as a shadow.
During the whole ride, she sat perfectly still, as if any movement might provoke another round of scolding from him.
When they finally arrived home, Claire stood in front of the sprawling mansion, gazing up with awestruck eyes. For a moment, her face shone with wonder. "Is this really my new home? Am I really going to live in a place like this? Mom, Dad, Liam... I feel so happy, like I'm dreaming." But he didn't spare her a shred of kindness. With a cold laugh, he sneered, "Look at you—so naïve, gawking at a house like you've never seen anything better. It's just a place to live, no need to get so worked up. Let's be clear, you chere for the money, didn't you? Well, lettell you, this house belongs to my mother. Even if it ever gets signed over, it's going to Vanessa, not you. Don't get any ideas." Claire's face went pale; a flicker of pain crossed her eyes.
She dropped her gaze, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not here for the money.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI just wanted a family." He scoffed, dismissing her words entirely, and said nothing more.
He watched as Claire stepped into the mansion, her small, fragile figure looking especially lonely in the sunlight.
In that moment, Ethan felt nothing for her-not a trace of pity, only icy indifference and contempt.
He never once considered how much his words might have hurt Claire.
Now, sitting in the cramped storage room where she used to sleep, Ethan leafed through her old diary. All those little details he'd ignored before now cut into him like a hundred tiny blades.
He finally understood: behind every smile Claire forced was a silent struggle, a secret hurt.
She'd spent all that tdesperately trying to fit in, while he'd done nothing but put up walls. "Claire... I was wrong," Ethan whispered, tears slipping down his cheeks before he could stop them.
It took him a long tto pull himself together and turn to the next page.
**June 13th, 2007. Saturday. Overcast.** Today was my first day living with the Linwoods.
Since it was Saturday, I got up early and made breakfast for everyone.
I really want to fit in here. I hope they'll like what I made.
But I never expected Vanessa would have an allergic reaction after breakfast- her skin broke out in hives. Mom, Dad, and my brother didn't even ask what happened. They just scolded me, hard. The way they at me... there was even a bit of disgust in their eyes.
I was devastated. But I know it was my fault. If not for me, Vanessa wouldn't have ended up in the hospital.
So even when they yelled at me, I didn't say a word in my defense.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmI still believe... if I give them my whole heart, someday they'll change their minds about me.
Ethan's mind drifted back to that day.
He remembered Vanessa's face, avel covered in angry red blotches, and the sudden rush of fury that overtook him. He'd stormed up to Claire and shoved her hard.
Claire, already so thin and frail, toppled against the dining table with barely a touch.
The dishes crashed to the floor, shattering everywhere.
She landed in the middle of the broken porcelain. Bloodwelled up from cuts on her hands. Instead of checking if she was hurt,
he'd only shouted at her, "All I did was give you a little push! Don't pretend to be so fragile we all know your tricks. En First you hurt Vanessa,
now you want to hurt me? Make Mom and Dad lose faith in us, and ve! then what? Take the family inheritance for yourself? You're unbelievable!"
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